Travel Tips: Stone Town is not the Jam

We hate Stown Town. If you are planning a stay in Zanzibar we recommend you skip it, minus a few possible errands.

The main downside to the town are the street touts, known locally as papasi (ticks). They are so utterly annoying I don't really want to go into it as I'm just going to get frustrated all over again. They are worst in the super tourist areas like Shanghai (a neighorhood) and by the ferry port.

Stown Town does have a few banks. The NBC branch is easy to find (Visa labeled cards only). There is also a place to buy booze across from the post office. We'd highly recommend bringing your own supply to any other place you might go on the island as drinks are (for Tanzania) expensive. Wine is impossible to find outside of touristy locations.

Another recommend: if you are coming off the ferry in Stone Town (or airport) schedule a pickup with your hotel ahead of time. You'll save yourself some stress.